Carboxamide bioisosteres of opiates

ABSTRACT

A compound of formula I is disclosed. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Compounds of formula I are useful as analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/857,588, filed Apr. 5, 2013, now allowed, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/069,104, filed Mar. 22, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,436,175. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/069,104 claims priority of U.S. provisional applications 61/316,175, filed Mar. 22, 2010, 61/394,148, filed Oct. 18, 2010, and 61/421,915, filed Dec. 10, 2010. The entire contents of each of the prior applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

The following invention was made with Government support under contract number R01 DA12180 awarded by U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to opioid receptor binding compounds containing carboxamides that have large substituents on the nitrogen of the carboxamide. The compounds are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, anti-obesity agents, antitussives, anti-cocaine, anti-inflammatory, and anti-addiction medications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Opiates have been the subject of intense research since the isolation of morphine in 1805, and thousands of compounds having opiate or opiate-like activity have been identified. Many opioid receptor-interactive compounds including those used for producing analgesia (e.g., morphine) and those used for treating drug addiction (e.g., naltrexone and cyclazocine) in humans have limited utility due to poor oral bioavailability and a very rapid clearance rate from the body. This has been shown in many instances to be due to the presence of the 8-hydroxyl group (OH) of 2,6-methano-3-benzazocines, also known as benzomorphans [(e.g., cyclazocine and EKC (ethylketocyclazocine)] and the corresponding 3-OH group in morphinans (e.g., morphine). Furthermore, charts 1-3 depicts a set of opiate binding compounds that are used to treat diseases mediated by opiate receptors.

wherein, R is selected from CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH(OH)C₆H₁₁, CH₂CH(CH₂Ph)CONHCH₂CO₂H, (CH₂)₃CH(CH₃)₂, and (CH₂)₃-2-thienyl,

Other opioid receptor ligands are described in Aldrich, J. V. “Analgesics” in Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, M. E. Wolff ed., John Wiley & Sons 1996, pages 321-44, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The high polarity of these hydroxyl groups retards oral absorption of the parent molecules. Furthermore, the 8-(or 3-)OH group is prone to sulfonation and glucuronidation (Phase II metabolism), both of which facilitate rapid excretion of the active compounds, leading to disadvantageously short half-lives for the active compounds. Until the publications of Wentland in 2001, the uniform experience in the art of the past seventy years had been that removal or replacement of the 8-(or 3-)OH group had led to pharmacologically inactive compounds.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,187 (to Wentland) disclosed that the phenolic OH of opioids could be replaced by CONH₂. In the cyclazocine series of opioids, it was shown that 8-carboxamidocyclazocine (8-CAC) had high affinity for μ and κ opioid receptors. In studies in vivo, 8-CAC showed high antinociception activity and a much longer duration of action than cyclazocine (15 h vs. 2 h) when both were dosed at 1 mg/kg ip in mice. Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies for 8-CAC revealed that mono-substitution of the carboxamide nitrogen with methyl or phenyl reduced binding affinity for guinea pig μ receptors 75- and 2313-fold, respectively whereas dimethylation of the carboxamide group reduced binding affinity 9375-fold. The finding that substitution of the carboxamide nitrogen had such a detrimental effect suggested that the NH₂ of the amide was critical to opioid binding.

We recently reported that the nitrogen of the carboxamide can be substituted with fairly large and relatively non-polar groups, and that such compounds exhibit good opioid binding and, presumably, good metabolic stability. (WO 2010/011619) Compounds with improved activity can be used to reduce dosage, side effects and costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I:

-   -   wherein     -   R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen,         halogen, —OH, —CN, —CHO, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —NO₂,         —COR¹⁰, —COOR¹⁰, —SO₂R¹⁰, —CONR¹⁰R¹¹, —CSNR¹⁰R¹¹,         —CONR¹⁰NR¹¹R¹², —CONR¹⁰OR¹¹, —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³)_(t)CONR¹⁰R¹¹,         —CONR¹⁰ ((C(R¹²)(R¹³)_(t)COOR¹¹, —C(═S)R¹⁰, —C(═NOR¹¹)R¹⁰,         C(═NR¹⁰)R¹¹, —SO₂NR¹⁰R¹¹, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted         lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally         substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl,         halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, and (C₁-C₆)alkylthio;     -   or, R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are         attached, and a fragment selected from —OCH₂O—, or —OCH₂CH₂O—,         form a ring,     -   wherein when Cy is an aromatic group R¹ and R² cannot both be         hydrogen;     -   wherein when Cy is an aromatic group R¹ and R² cannot both be         halogen;     -   R³ is chosen from hydrogen, C₁-C₈ hydrocarbon, heterocyclyl,         aryl and hydroxyalkyl;     -   R⁴ is chosen from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkoxy,         C₁-C₂₀ alkyl and C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or         carbonyl;     -   R⁵ is lower alkyl;     -   R⁶ is lower alkyl;     -   R⁷ is chosen from hydrogen, NR¹⁰R¹¹ and —OR¹⁰; or     -   together R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may form from one, two, three, or         four rings, said rings having optional additional substitution;     -   R⁸ and R^(8a) are both hydrogen or taken together R⁸ and R^(8a)         are ═O;     -   R⁹ is chosen from hydrogen and lower alkyl;     -   R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are each independently hydrogen,         optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted         alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted         aryl, hydroxyl, —NR¹⁰⁰R¹⁰¹ or optionally substituted lower         alkoxy, or     -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are         attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or         heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to         3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;     -   t is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;     -   R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹ are each independently hydrogen, optionally         substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl,         optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl,         hydroxyl, or optionally substituted lower alkoxy, or     -   R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are         attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or         heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to         3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;     -   Y is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹))q-, wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3,         4 or 5;     -   L is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹))q-; and     -   Cy is Ar¹—B—Ar², wherein         -   Ar¹ is absent, or an aryl or heteroaryl radical having from             1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or             mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl,             alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰             or —COOR¹⁰;         -   B is a direct bond, —O—, —NR¹⁰, —SO₂, or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹)_(s)—,             wherein s is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and         -   Ar² is aryl or heteroaryl radical having from 1 to 4 N, O             and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di- or             trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,             cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰ or —COOR¹⁰, wherein             when Cy is phenyl or biphenyl, R₁ is other than —OCH₃.

In another aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula Ia:

wherein L is a direct bond, and all other substituents are defined as above.

In one aspect of the invention, the compounds described in charts 1-3 are substituted at the phenolic hydroxyl position. For instance, compounds of charts 1-3 are substituted at the phenolic hydroxyl position with —C(O)N(R⁹)LCy(R¹)(R²), wherein the carboxamido moiety replaces the hydroxyl group to give a compound of formula I or formula Ia.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of formula I or formula Ia and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of preventing or treating a condition or disease associated with binding opioid receptors in a patient in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to said patient a composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I or formula Ia.

The compounds of the invention are therefore useful as analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-pruritics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives, anorexics and as treatments for hyperalgesia, anti-addiction, respiratory depression, dyskinesia, pain (including neuropathic pain), irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal motility disorders. As used herein, anti-addition medications can be used interchangeably with the term drug addiction, which includes alcohol, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and nicotine addiction. There is evidence in the literature that the compounds may also be useful as immunosuppressants and antiinflammatories and for reducing ischemic damage (and cardioprotection), for improving learning and memory, and for treating urinary incontinence. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of preventing or treating a condition or disease associated with binding opioid receptors in a patient in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to said patient a composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I or formula Ia. In further embodiments, drug addiction encompasses heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, nicotine or alcohol addiction. In other embodiments, the condition is pain and the composition further comprises an effective amount of an opioid. In yet a further embodiment, the condition is osteoarthritis and the composition further comprises an effective amount of an opioid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

From many years of SAR studies, it is known that the hydroxyl of morphinans and benzomorphans interacts with a specific site in the opiate receptor. Our recent studies have found that the hydroxyl can be replaced with a carboxamide residue. A fairly wide range of secondary carboxamides exhibits binding in the desired range below 25 nanomolar. We recently reported a set of compounds with cyclic groups attached at the carboxamide position. (US 20070021457, WO 2010/011619, and Ser. No. 12/506,354, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein). It has been surprisingly found that a selected groups of substituents on the cyclic group provides significantly improved binding properties.

In one aspect the invention relates to compounds of formula I:

-   -   wherein     -   R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen,         halogen, —OH, —CN, —CHO, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —NO₂,         —COR¹⁰, —COOR¹⁰, —SO₂R¹⁰, —CONR¹⁰R¹¹, —CSNR¹⁰R¹¹,         —CONR¹⁰NR¹¹R¹², —CONR¹⁰OR¹¹, —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³)_(t)CONR¹⁰R¹¹,         —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³)_(t)COOR¹¹, —C(═S)R¹⁰, —C(═NOR¹¹)R¹⁰,         C(═NR¹⁰)R¹¹, —SO₂NR¹⁰R¹¹, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted         lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally         substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl,         halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, and (C₁-C₆)alkylthio;     -   or, R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are         attached, and a fragment selected from —OCH₂O—, or —OCH₂CH₂O—,         form a ring,     -   wherein when Cy is an aromatic group R¹ and R² cannot both be         hydrogen;     -   wherein when Cy is an aromatic group R¹ and R² cannot both be         halogen;     -   R³ is chosen from hydrogen, C₁-C₈ hydrocarbon, heterocyclyl,         aryl and hydroxyalkyl;     -   R⁴ is chosen from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkoxy,         C₁-C₂₀ alkyl and C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or         carbonyl;     -   R⁵ is lower alkyl;     -   R⁶ is lower alkyl;     -   R⁷ is chosen from hydrogen, NR¹⁰R¹¹ and —OR¹⁰; or     -   together R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may form from one, two, three, or         four rings, said rings having optional additional substitution;     -   R⁸ and R^(8a) are both hydrogen or taken together R⁸ and R^(8a)         are ═O;     -   R⁹ is chosen from hydrogen and lower alkyl;     -   R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are each independently hydrogen,         optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted         alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted         aryl, hydroxyl, —NR¹⁰⁰R¹⁰¹ or optionally substituted lower         alkoxy, or     -   R¹⁰ and R¹¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are         attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or         heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to         3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;     -   t is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;     -   R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹ are each independently hydrogen, optionally         substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl,         optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl,         hydroxyl, or optionally substituted lower alkoxy, or     -   R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are         attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or         heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to         3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S;     -   Y is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹))q-, wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3,         4 or 5;     -   L is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹))q-; and     -   Cy is Ar¹—B—Ar², wherein         -   Ar¹ is absent, or an aryl or heteroaryl radical having from             1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or             mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl,             alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰             or —COOR¹⁰;         -   B is a direct bond, —O—, —NR¹⁰, —SO₂, or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹)s-,             wherein s is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and         -   Ar² is aryl or heteroaryl radical having from 1 to 4 N, O             and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di- or             trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,             cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰ or —COOR¹⁰,     -   wherein when Cy is phenyl or biphenyl, R₁ is other than —OCH₃.

In part, the invention provides a compound of formula II:

wherein, Cy, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, and R^(8a) are as defined above. In some embodiments, R¹ is selected from —OH, —CHO, —CONH₂—CON(H)CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂COOH, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂COOH, —COOH and —COOCH₃; or R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are attached forms a —OCH₂O— fused ring.

In other embodiments, R² is H, and R¹ is selected from —OH, —CHO, —CONH₂—CON(H)CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂COOH, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂COOH, —COOH and —COOCH₃.

In part, the invention provides a compound of formula III, IV, V or VI below:

wherein, R¹, R², R³, R⁷ and Cy are as defined above; each R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² is chosen from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkoxy, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl and C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or carbonyl; or together, R²⁰ and R²¹ together with the carbon to which they are attached, form —CO, or —CS; or together, R²⁰ and R²¹, together with the carbon(s) to which they are attached, form a ring. In some embodiments, such a ring is a spiral ring.

In one embodiment, a compound of formula III, IV, V or VI is disclosed wherein R¹ is selected from —OH, —CHO, —CONH₂—CON(H)CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂COOH, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂COOH; or R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are attached forms a —OCH₂O— fused ring. In another embodiment, R₂ is H, and R¹ is selected from —OH, —CHO, —CONH₂—CON(H)CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂COOH, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂COOH.

In part, the invention provides a compound of formula Ia:

wherein L is a direct bond, and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R^(8a), R⁹ and Cy are as defined above.

R¹ and R² can be, independently, small, polar, neutral residues and, in particular, can be selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted amide groups, including but not limited to carboxamide, thiocarboxamide, acylamine and formamide groups; substituted or unsubstituted amines; substituted or unsubstituted amidines, such as hydroxyamidines; and alkyls substituted by polar neutral residues.

For example, R¹ and R² can be, independently, Z, wherein Z is a polar neutral residue, such as CH₂OR_(a), CH₂NR_(b)R_(c), —CN, —NR_(b)SO₂—R_(c), —C(═W)R_(a), —NR_(a)COR_(b), —NR_(a)CSR_(b), —SO₂NR_(b)R_(c), —NR_(b)-Q_(a)-R_(c), —C(═W)NR_(b)R_(c), —C(O)OR_(a), heterocycle, substituted heterocycle, heteroaryl, and substituted heteroaryl, such as

wherein l is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; k is 0, 1 or 2; X is C, N, S or O and

represents a single or double bond; R_(a), R_(b), R_(c) are each independently selected from: hydrogen; aryl; substituted aryl; heteroaryl; substituted heteroaryl; heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic; and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkenyl each containing 0, 1, 2, or 3 or more heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N; alternatively, R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) taken together with the attached atom form a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic; Q_(a) is absent or selected from (C═O), (SO₂), (C═NH), (C═S), or (CONR_(a)); and W is O, S, NOR_(a) or NR_(a).

In other examples, R¹ and R² can be each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, —OH, —CN, —CHO, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —NO₂, —COR¹⁰, —COOR¹⁰, —SO₂R¹⁰, —CONR¹⁰R¹¹, —CSNR¹⁰R¹¹, —CONR¹⁰NR¹¹R¹², —CONR¹⁰OR¹¹, —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³))_(t)CONR¹⁰R¹¹, —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³))_(t)COOR¹¹, —C(═S)R¹⁰, —C(═NOR¹¹)R¹⁰, C(═NR¹⁰)R¹¹, —SO₂NR¹⁰R¹¹, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, and (C₁-C₆)alkylthio.

In other examples, R¹ and R², together with the atoms to which they are attached, and a fragment selected from —OCH₂O—, or —OCH₂CH₂O—, form a ring.

In some embodiments, one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen or methyl and the other is —CONH₂, —COH, —CO₂H, —CO₂CH₃, —OH, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy or CN.

In some embodiments, Cy is selected from:

-   -   wherein W is selected from [C(R⁹)₂]_(n), CR⁸R^(8a), O, NR⁹, S         and CR⁹═CR⁹; and     -   n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some embodiments, R³ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R³ is heterocyclyl. In still other embodiments, R³ is hydroxyalkyl. In yet other embodiments, R³ is C₁-C₈ hydrocarbon. In further embodiments, R³ is cyclopropyl or cyclobutyl.

In some embodiments, R⁴ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R⁴ is hydroxyl or amino. In still other embodiments, R⁴ is lower alkoxy. In yet other embodiments, R⁴ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or carbonyl. In further embodiments, R⁴ is methyl or ethyl.

In some embodiments, R⁵ is lower alkyl. In some embodiments, R⁵ is methyl.

In some embodiments, R⁶ is lower alkyl. In some embodiments, R⁶ is methyl.

In some embodiments, R⁷ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R⁷ is −OR¹⁰. In further embodiments, R⁷ is hydroxyl. In still other embodiments, R⁷ is NR¹⁰R¹¹. In further embodiments, R⁷ is NH₂, NHCH₃ or NH(CH₃)₂.

In some embodiments, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may form from one, two, three or four rings, said rings having optional additional substitution.

In an embodiment of the invention, R⁸ and R^(8a) are both hydrogen. In another embodiment, R⁸ and R^(8a) are taken together to form ═O.

In some embodiments, R⁹ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R⁹ is lower alkyl.

In some embodiments, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen. In other embodiments, R¹⁰ is optionally substituted lower alkoxy and R¹¹ is hydrogen or methyl. In still other embodiments, R¹⁰ is optionally substituted lower alkyl and R¹¹ is hydrogen or methyl. In yet other embodiments, R¹⁰ is optionally substituted aryl and R¹¹ is hydrogen or methyl. In yet other embodiments, R¹⁰ is hydroxyl or amino and R¹¹ is hydrogen or methyl. In some embodiments, R¹⁰ and R¹¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to 3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S. In some embodiments, R¹⁰ and/or R¹¹ is —NR¹⁰⁰R¹⁰¹.

In these embodiments, R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹ are each independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxyl, and optionally substituted lower alkoxy. In some embodiments, R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to 3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S.

In one aspect of the invention, the compounds described in charts 1-3 are substituted at the phenolic hydroxyl position. For instance, compounds of charts 1-3 are substituted at the phenolic hydroxyl position with —C(O)N(R₉)LCy(R₁)(R₂), wherein the carboxamido moiety replaces the hydroxyl group to give a compound of formula I or formula Ia.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula I or formula Ia is selected from:

In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound selected from table 1:

TABLE 1 No Structure 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

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28

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31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

In some embodiments of the invention, Cy-R¹R² is of formula

wherein Z is CR¹⁰ (with R¹⁰ defined as above) or N. In these instances, Z must be C at the point of attachment of the distal ring to the proximal ring. Additionally, at the points of attachment of R¹ and R², Z will be CR¹ and CR², respectively. In some embodiments, Cy-R¹R² will have the structure:

In some of these embodiments, one of R¹ and R² is in the para position relative to B (the point of attachment of the distal ring to the proximal ring) and the other of R¹ and R² is hydrogen.

In some embodiments of the invention, Ar² is phenyl and one of R¹ or R² is in the para position relative to B.

In some embodiments of the invention, Cy-R¹R² has the structure:

The phenolic hydroxyls of benzomorphans and morphinans can be chemically converted to carboxamides by a simple, flexible and convenient route described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,784,187, 7,057,035, US 20070021457, and WO 2010/011619.

It is known in the art that compounds that are μ, δ and κ agonists exhibit analgesic activity; compounds that are selective μagonists exhibit anti-diarrheal activity and are useful in treating dyskinesia; μ antagonists and κ agonists are useful in treating heroin, cocaine, alcohol and nicotine addiction; κ agonists are also anti-pruritic agents and are useful in treating hyperalgesia. Recently it has been found [Peterson et al. Biochem. Pharmacol. 61, 1141-1151 (2001)] that κ agonists are also useful in treating retroviral infections. In general, the dextrorotatory isomers of morphinans of type III above are useful as antitussives and anticonvulsants. Opiate binding is also related to the treatment of arthritis. (Keates et al., Anesth Analg 1999; 89:409-15). Furthermore it has been reported that in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, μ- and δ-opioid receptors are synthesized and located in synovial lining cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages surrounding the vessels in synovial tissues, and may play a role in the regulation and modulation of inflammation. (Tanaka et al., Modern Rheumatology, 2003, 13(4) 326-332).

Opioid receptor ligands having known high affinity are shown in charts 1-3. Replacement of the phenolic OH with the —C(O)N(R₉)LCy(R₁)(R₂) residue in these compounds produces compounds that exhibit similar activity and better bioavailability.

Binding assays used to screen compounds are similar to those previously reported by Neumeyer et al., Design and Synthesis of Novel Dimeric Morphinan Ligands for κ and μ Opioid Receptors. J. Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 5162. Membrane protein from CHO cells that stably expressed one type of the human opioid receptor were incubated with 12 different concentrations of the compound in the presence of either 1 nM [³H]U69,593¹⁰ (κ), 0.25 nM [³H]DAMGO¹¹ (μ) or 0.2 nM [³H]naltrindole¹² (δ) in a final volume of 1 mL of 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 at 25° C. Incubation times of 60 min were used for [³H]U69,593 and [³H]DAMGO. Because of a slower association of [³H]naltrindole with the receptor, a 3 h incubation was used with this radioligand. Samples incubated with [³H]naltrindole also contained 10 mM MgCl₂ and 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Nonspecific binding was measured by inclusion of 10 μM naloxone. The binding was terminated by filtering the samples through Schleicher & Schuell No. 32 glass fiber filters using a Brandel 48-well cell harvester. The filters were subsequently washed three times with 3 mL of cold 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, and were counted in 2 mL Ecoscint A scintillation fluid. For [³H]naltrindole and [³H]U69,593 binding, the filters were soaked in 0.1% polyethylenimine for at least 60 min before use. IC₅₀ values were-calculated by least squares fit to a logarithm-probit analysis. K_(i) values of unlabeled compounds were calculated from the equation K_(i)=(IC₅₀)/1+S where S=(concentration of radioligand)/(K_(d) of radioligand).¹³ Data are the mean±SEM from at least three experiments performed in triplicate.

[³⁵S]GTPγS Binding Assays. In a final volume of 0.5 mL, 12 different concentrations of each test compound were incubated with 15 μg (κ), 10 μg (δ) or 7.5 μg (μ) of CHO cell membranes that stably expressed either the human κ, δ or μ opioid receptor. The assay buffer consisted of 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 3 mM MgCl₂, 0.2 mM EGTA, 3 μM GDP, and 100 mM NaCl. The final concentration of [³⁵S]GTPγS was 0.080 nM. Nonspecific binding was measured by inclusion of 10 μM GTPγS. Binding was initiated by the addition of the membranes. After an incubation of 60 min at 30° C., the samples were filtered through Schleicher & Schuell No. 32 glass fiber filters. The filters were washed three times with cold 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, and were counted in 2 mL of Ecoscint scintillation fluid. Data are the mean E_(max) and EC₅₀ values ±S.E.M. from at least three separate experiments, performed in triplicate. For calculation of the E_(max) values, the basal [³⁵S]GTPγS binding was set at 0%. To determine antagonist activity of a compound at the μ opioid receptors, CHO membranes expressing the μ opioid receptor, were incubated with 12 different concentrations of the compound in the presence of 200 nM of the μ agonist DAMGO. To determine antagonist activity of a compound at the κ opioid receptors, CHO membranes expressing the κ opioid receptor, were incubated with the compound in the presence of 100 nM of the κ agonist U50,488. To determine if a compound was an antagonist at δ receptors, CHO membranes expressing the δ receptor were incubated with 12 different concentrations of the test compound in the presence of 10 nM of the δ-selective agonist SNC 80.

EXAMPLES Cyclazocine Subseries

-   -   K_(i)(nM ±S.E.)

Compound [³H]DAMGO [³H]Naltrindole [³H]U69,593 No. X (μ) (δ) (κ) Reference (±) H 0.30 ± 0.02  0.74 ± 0.019 1.8 ± 0.19 Reference (−) H 0.25 ± 0.031 0.24 ± 0.014 0.35 ± 0.009 Reference (+) H 6.4 ± 0.50 9.9 ± 0.44 8.5 ± 1.07 1 (±) 4′-OH 0.0056 ± 0.00073 0.81 ± 0.12  0.49 ± 0.011  1A (−) 4′-OH 0.0049 ± 0.001  0.78 ± 0.05  0.36 ± 0.018 2 (±) 3′-CH₃-4′-OCH₃ 0.059 ± 0.0050 1.5 ± 0.14 1.7 ± 0.14 3 (±) 2′CH₃-4′-OCH₃  0.23 ± 0.0056 1.1 ± 0.18 1.3 ± 0.11 4 (±) 4′-OCH₂CH₃ 0.64 ± 0.058 3.4 ± .039 3.3 ± 0.32 5 (±) 4′-OCH(CH₃)₂ 0.23 ± 0.041 1.9 ± 0.21 1.6 ± 0.11 6 (±) 3′-OCH(CH₃)₂ 0.43 ± 0.041 3.9 ± 1.4  2.4 ± 0.25 7 (±) 2′-OCH(CH₃)₂  0.12 ± 0.0018 0.55 ± 0.025 1.8 ± 0.17 8 (±) 3′,4′-OCH₂O— 0.0016 ± 0.0034  1.0 ± 0.12 0.73 ± 0.049 9 (±) 4′-CN  0.017 ± 0.00075 3.0 ± 0.11  1.0 ± 0.095 10  (±) 4′-CHO 0.0020 ± 0.00029 2.5 ± 0.12  1.8 ± 0.038 34  (±) 4′-CONH₂ 0.0052 ± 0.00055  1.0 ± 0.018 0.91 ± 0.066 35  (±) 4′-CO₂H 2.3 ± 0.16 68 ± 9.0  55 ± 4.1  36  (±) 4′-CO₂CH₃ 0.0091 ± 0.00071  1.5 ± 0.062 1.1 ± 0.13

Antinociceptive activity is evaluated by the method described in Jiang et al. [J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 264, 1021-1027 (1993), page 1022]. The ED₅₀'s of compounds of the invention are expected to be under 100 nmol in the mouse acetic acid writhing test when administered i.c.v., and an increase in the duration of action is expected for compounds of the invention compared to their “parents” when given by i.p. administration.

Definitions

Throughout this specification the terms and substituents retain their definitions.

Alkyl is intended to include linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon structures and combinations thereof. A combination would be, for example, cyclopropylmethyl. Lower alkyl refers to alkyl groups of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of lower alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, s- and t-butyl, cyclobutyl and the like. Preferred alkyl groups are those of C₂₀ or below. Cycloalkyl is a subset of alkyl and includes cyclic hydrocarbon groups of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include c-propyl, c-butyl, c-pentyl, norbornyl and the like.

Alkoxy or alkoxyl refers to groups of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms of a straight, branched, or cyclic configuration and combinations thereof attached to the parent structure through an oxygen. Examples include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and the like. Lower-alkoxy refers to groups containing one to four carbons.

Aryl and heteroaryl mean a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring containing 0-3 heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S; a bicyclic 9- or 10-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system containing 0-3 heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S; or a tricyclic 13- or 14-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system containing 0-3 heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S. The aromatic 6- to 14-membered carbocyclic rings include, e.g., benzene, naphthalene, indane, tetralin, and fluorene and the 5- to 10-membered aromatic heterocyclic rings include, e.g., imidazole, pyridine, indole, thiophene, benzopyranone, thiazole, furan, benzimidazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, pyrimidine, pyrazine, tetrazole and pyrazole. As used herein aryl and heteroaryl refer to residues in which one or more rings are aromatic, but not all need be.

Arylalkyl means an alkyl residue attached to an aryl ring. Examples are benzyl, phenethyl and the like. Heteroarylalkyl means an alkyl residue attached to a heteroaryl ring. Examples include, e.g., pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylethyl and the like.

C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbon means a linear, branched, or cyclic residue comprised of hydrogen and carbon as the only elemental constituents and includes alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and combinations thereof. Examples include, e.g., benzyl, phenethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, camphoryl and naphthylethyl.

The term “halogen” means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. In one embodiment, halogen may be fluorine or chlorine.

The terms “haloalkyl” and “haloalkoxy” mean alkyl or alkoxy, respectively, substituted with one or more halogen atoms.

Heterocycle means a cycloalkyl or aryl residue in which one to four of the carbons is replaced by a heteroatom such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur. Heteroaryls form a subset of heterocycles. Examples of heterocycles that fall within the scope of the invention include, e.g., pyrrolidine, pyrazole, pyrrole, indole, quinoline, isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, benzofuran, benzodioxan, benzodioxole (commonly referred to as methylenedioxyphenyl, when occurring as a substituent), tetrazole, morpholine, thiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiophene, furan, oxazole, oxazoline, isoxazole, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran and the like.

Substituted alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl etc. refer to alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl wherein up to three H atoms in each residue are replaced with halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, acyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyloweralkyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, benzenesulfonyl, hydroxy, loweralkoxy, haloalkoxy, carboxy, carboalkoxy (also referred to as alkoxycarbonyl), alkoxycarbonylamino, carboxamido (also referred to as alkylaminocarbonyl), cyano, carbonyl, acetoxy, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, mercapto, alkylthio, sulfoxide, sulfone, sulfonylamino, acylamino, amidino, aryl, benzyl, heterocyclyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryloxy, hydroxyimino, alkoxyimino, oxaalkyl, aminosulfonyl, trityl, amidino, guanidino, ureido, and benzyloxy.

Virtually all of the compounds described herein contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)-. The present invention is meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. In general it has been found that the levo isomer of morphinans and benzomorphans is the more potent antinociceptive agent, while the dextro isomer may be useful as an antitussive or antispasmodic agent. Optically active (R)- and (S)-isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

Some of the compounds of the invention are quaternary salts, i.e. cationic species. Therefore they will always be presented as salts, and the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to salts whose counter ion (anion) derives from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids including inorganic acids, organic acids and water (which formally furnishes the hydroxide anion). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable anions for the compounds of the present invention include hydroxide, acetate, benzenesulfonate (besylate), benzoate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, carbonate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, gluconate, glutamate, glycolate, bromide, chloride, isethionate, lactate, maleate, malate, mandelate, methanesulfonate, mucate, nitrate, pamoate, pantothenate, phosphate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, trifluoroacetate, p-toluenesulfonate, acetamidobenzoate, adipate, alginate, aminosalicylate, anhydromethylenecitrate, ascorbate, aspartate, calcium edetate, camphorate, camsylate, caprate, caproate, caprylate, cinnamate, cyclamate, dichloroacetate, edetate (EDTA), edisylate, embonate, estolate, esylate, fluoride, formate, gentisate, gluceptate, glucuronate, glycerophosphate, glycolate, glycollylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate, hippurate, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, lactobionate, malonate, mesylate, napadisylate, napsylate, nicotinate, oleate, orotate, oxalate, oxoglutarate, palmitate, pectinate, pectinate polymer, phenylethylbarbiturate, picrate, pidolate, propionate, rhodanide, salicylate, sebacate, stearate, tannate, theoclate, tosylate and the like. The desired salt may be obtained by ion exchange of whatever counter ion is obtained in the synthesis of the quat. These methods are well known to persons of skill. Although pharmaceutically acceptable counter ions will be preferred for preparing pharmaceutical formulations, other anions are quite acceptable as synthetic intermediates. Thus X may be pharmaceutically undesirable anions, such as iodide, oxalate, trifluoromethanesulfonate and the like, when such salts are chemical intermediates. When the compounds of the invention are bisquats, one may employ as counter ions either two monoanionic species (e.g. Cl₂) or a single dianionic species (e.g. fumarate). Similarly, one could employ oligoanionic species and make salts having appropriate ratios of quat to counterion, such as (quat)₃ citrates. These would be obvious equivalents. In some embodiments, the nitrogen of the morphinan or benzomorphan core structure is quaternized. Quaternization can be achieved by methylation of a tertiary nitrogen atom.

Although this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of this invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. It may be found upon examination that certain members of the claimed genus are not patentable to the inventors in this application. In this event, subsequent exclusions of species from the compass of applicants' claims are to be considered artifacts of patent prosecution and not reflective of the inventors' concept or description of their invention; the invention encompasses all of the members of the genus (I) that are not already in the possession of the public.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations and terms have the indicated meanings throughout:

-   represents a single or double bond; -   Ac=acetyl -   BNB=4-bromomethyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid -   Boc=t-butyloxy carbonyl -   BPE=2(4-biphenylyl)ethyl=

-   Bu=butyl -   c-=cyclo -   DAMGO=Tyr-ala-Gly-NMePhe-NHCH₂OH -   DBU=diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene -   DCM=dichloromethane=methylene chloride=CH₂Cl₂ -   DEAD=diethyl azodicarboxylate -   DIC=diisopropylcarbodiimide -   DIEA=N,N-diisopropylethyl amine -   DMAP=4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine -   DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide -   DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide -   DOR=delta opioid receptor -   DPPF=1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene -   DVB=1,4-divinylbenzene -   EEDQ=2-ethoxy-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline -   Fmoc=9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl -   GC=gas chromatography -   HATU=O-(7-Azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium     hexafluorophosphate -   HOAc=acetic acid -   HOBt=hydroxybenzotriazole -   KOR=kappa opioid receptor -   Me=methyl -   mesyl=methanesulfonyl -   MOR=mu opioid receptor -   MTBE=methyl t-butyl ether -   NMO=N-methylmorpholine oxide -   PEG=polyethylene glycol -   Ph=phenyl -   PhOH=phenol -   NP=pentafluorophenol -   PPTS=pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate -   PyBroP=bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate -   rt=room temperature -   sat'd=saturated -   s-=secondary -   t-=tertiary -   TBDMS=t-butyldimethylsilyl -   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid -   THF=tetrahydrofuran -   TMOF=trimethyl orthoformate -   TMS=trimethylsilyl -   tosyl=p-toluenesulfonyl -   Trt=triphenylmethyl -   U69,593=

It may happen that residues in the substrate of interest require protection and deprotection during the conversion of the phenol hydroxyl. Terminology related to “protecting”, “deprotecting” and “protected” functionalities occurs throughout this application. Such terminology is well understood by persons of skill in the art and is used in the context of processes which involve sequential treatment with a series of reagents. In that context, a protecting group refers to a group which is used to mask a functionality during a process step in which it would otherwise react, but in which reaction is undesirable. The protecting group prevents reaction at that step, but may be subsequently removed to expose the original functionality. The removal or “deprotection” occurs after the completion of the reaction or reactions in which the functionality would interfere. Thus, when a sequence of reagents is specified, as it is below, the person of ordinary skill can readily envision those groups that would be suitable as “protecting groups”. Suitable groups for that purpose are discussed in standard textbooks in the field of chemistry, such as Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis by T. W. Greene [John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1991], which is incorporated herein by reference.

The compounds of the invention are synthesized by one of the routes described below:

In general, the method of replacing a phenolic —OH with triflate, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,187, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Proton NMR spectra and in certain cases ¹³C NMR were obtained on a Varian Unity-300 or 500 NMR spectrometer with tetramethylsilane as an internal reference for samples dissolved in CDCl₃. Samples dissolved in CD₃OD and DMSO-d₆ were referenced to the solvent. Proton NMR multiplicity data are denoted by s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quartet), m (multiplet), dd (doublet of doublets), and br (broad). Coupling constants are in hertz. Direct insertion probe chemical ionization mass spectral data were obtained on a Shimadzu GC-17A GC-MS mass spectrometer. Direct infusion electrospray ionization (in positively charged ion mode) mass spectral data were obtained on an Agilent 1100 series LC/MSD system (Germany). Melting points were determined on a Meltemp capillary melting point apparatus and were uncorrected. Infrared spectral data were obtained on a Perkin-Elmer Paragon 1000 FT-IR spectrophotometer. Optical rotation data was obtained from a Perkin-Elmer 241 polarimeter. The assigned structure of all test compounds and intermediates were consistent with the data. Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen elemental analyses for all novel targets were performed by Quantitative Technologies Inc., Whitehouse, N.J., and were within ±0.4% of theoretical values except as noted; the presence of water or other solvents was confirmed by proton NMR. Reactions were generally performed in an argon or nitrogen atmosphere. Commercially purchased chemicals were used without purification unless otherwise noted. The following reagents were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company: N-hydroxysuccinimide, phenethylamine, 3-phenyl-1-propylamine, 4-aminobiphenyl, palladium acetate, 4-phenylbenzylamine and benzyl amine. The following reagent was purchased from Trans World Chemicals: 2-(4-biphenyl ethylamine). The following reagents were purchased from Strem Chemicals, Incorporated: 1,1′-bis(diphenyl-phosphino)ferrocene (dppf) and dichloro[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]palladium (II) dichloromethane adduct [PdCl₂(dppf)]. Pyridine was distilled from KOH. DMF and DMSO were distilled over CaH₂ under reduced pressure. Silica gel (Bodman Industries, ICN SiliTech 2-63 D 60A, 230-400 Mesh) was used for all flash chromatography. Amines were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company and used as received unless otherwise indicated. Toluene and Et₂O were distilled from sodium metal. THF was distilled from sodium/benzophenone ketyl. Pyridine was distilled from KOH. Methylene chloride was distilled from CaH₂. DMF and DMSO were distilled from CaH₂ under reduced pressure. Methanol was dried over 3±molecular sieves prior to use. Silica gel (Bodman Industries, ICN SiliTech 2-63 D 60A, 230-400 Mesh) was used for flash column chromatography.

In general, the chemistry described above works in the presence of the variety of functional groups found on known core structures. The exceptions would be morphine and congeners having a free 6-OH, which can be protected by a TBDPS (t-butyldiphenylsilyl) group [see Wentland et al., “Selective Protection and Functionalization of Morphine . . . ”, J. Med. Chem. 43, 3558-3565 (2000)]. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I:

wherein R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, —OH, —CN, —CHO, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, —NO₂, —COR¹⁰, —COOR¹⁰, —SO₂R¹⁰, —CONR¹⁰R¹¹, CSNR¹⁰R¹¹, —CONR¹⁰NR¹¹R¹², —CONR¹⁰OR¹¹, —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³)_(t)CONR¹⁰R¹¹, —CONR¹⁰((C(R¹²)(R¹³)_(t)COOR¹¹, —C(═S)R¹⁰, —C(═NOR¹¹)R¹⁰, C(═NR¹⁰)R¹¹, —SO₂NR¹⁰R¹¹, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, and (C₁-C₆)alkylthio; or, R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are attached, and a fragment selected from —OCH₂O—, or —OCH₂CH₂O—, form a ring, wherein when Cy is an aromatic group R¹ and R² cannot both be hydrogen; wherein when Cy is an aromatic group R¹ and R² cannot both be halogen; R³ is chosen from hydrogen, C₁-C₈ hydrocarbon, heterocyclyl, aryl and hydroxyalkyl; R⁴ is chosen from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkoxy, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl and C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or carbonyl; R⁵ is lower alkyl; R⁶ is lower alkyl; R⁷ is chosen from hydrogen, NR¹⁰R¹¹ and —OR¹⁰; or together R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may form from one, two, three, or four rings, said rings having optional additional substitution; R⁸ and R^(8a) are both hydrogen or taken together R⁸ and R^(8a) are ═O; R⁹ is chosen from hydrogen and lower alkyl; R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxyl, —NR¹⁰⁰R¹⁰¹ or optionally substituted lower alkoxy, or R¹⁰ and R¹¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to 3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; t is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹ are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxyl, or optionally substituted lower alkoxy, or R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to 3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; Y is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹))q-, wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; L is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹))q-; and Cy is Ar¹—B—Ar², wherein Ar¹ is absent, or an aryl or heteroaryl radical having from 1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, CN, —COR¹⁰ or —COOR¹⁰; B is a direct bond, —O—, —NR¹⁰, —SO₂, or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹)s-, wherein s is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and Ar² is aryl or heteroaryl radical having from 1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰ or —COOR¹⁰, wherein when Cy is phenyl or biphenyl, R₁ is other than —OCH₃.
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein Cy is selected from:

wherein W is selected from [C(R⁹)₂]_(n), CR⁸R^(8a), O, NR⁹, S and CR⁹═CR⁹; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 3. A compound of claim 1 of formula III-VI:

wherein, R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² are each chosen from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkoxy, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl and C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or carbonyl; or together, R²⁰, and R²¹ with the carbon to which they are attached, form —CO, or —CS; or together, R²⁰, and R²¹ with the carbon(s) to which they are attached, form a ring.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 of formula:


5. A compound according to claim 1 selected from Table 1: No Structure 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48


6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Cy-R¹R² is of formula

wherein Z is CR¹⁰ or N, with the provisos that, a) at the point of attachment of the distal ring to the proximal ring, Z must be C, and b) at the points of attachment of R¹ and R², Z will be CR¹ and CR², respectively.
 7. A compound according to claim 6 of formula wherein Cy-R¹R² is of formula:


8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein one of R¹ and R² is in the para position relative to B and the other of R¹ and R² is hydrogen.
 9. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Ar² is phenyl and one of R¹ or R² is in the para position relative to B.
 10. A compound according to claim 9 wherein Cy-R¹R² is of formula:


11. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 12. A method of treating pain, pruritis, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal motility disorder, obesity, respiratory depression, convulsions, coughing, hyperalgesia, inflammation, osteoarthritis and drug addiction associated with binding opioid receptors in a patient in need thereof, comprising the step of administering to said patient a composition comprising an effective amount of a compound according to claim
 1. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the condition is pain and the composition further comprises an effective amount of an opioid.
 14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the condition is osteoarthritis and the composition further comprises an effective amount of an opioid.
 15. A compound of formula Ia:

wherein R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, —OH, —CN, —CHO, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —OCH(CH₃)₂, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, halo(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, —NO₂, —COR¹⁰, —SO₂R¹⁰, —CONR¹⁰R¹¹, —C(═S)R¹⁰, —C(═NOR¹¹)R¹⁰, C(═NR¹⁰)R¹¹ and —SO₂NR¹⁰R¹¹; or, R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are attached, and a fragment selected from —OCH₂O—, or —OCH₂CH₂O—, form a ring, with the proviso that R¹ and R² cannot both be hydrogen; R³ is chosen from hydrogen, C₁-C₈ hydrocarbon, heterocyclyl, aryl and hydroxyalkyl; R⁴ is chosen from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkoxy, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl and C₁-C₂₀ alkyl substituted with hydroxyl or carbonyl; R⁵ is lower alkyl; R⁶ is lower alkyl; R⁷ is chosen from hydrogen, NR¹⁰R¹¹ and —OR¹⁰; or together R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may form from one to four rings, said rings having optional additional substitution; R⁸ and R^(8a) are both hydrogen or taken together R⁸ and R^(8a) are ═O; R⁹ is chosen from hydrogen and lower alkyl; R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxyl, —NR¹⁰⁰R¹⁰¹ or optionally substituted lower alkoxy, or R¹⁰ and R¹¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to 3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹ are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, hydroxyl, or optionally substituted lower alkoxy, or R¹⁰⁰ and R¹⁰¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an optionally substituted fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 7 ring members of which up to 3 can be heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; Y is a direct bond or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹)) q-, wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and Cy is Ar¹—B—Ar², wherein Ar¹ is absent, or an aryl or heteroaryl radical having from 1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰ or —COOR¹⁰; B is a direct bond, —O—, —NR¹⁰, —SO₂, or —(C(R¹⁰)(R¹¹)s-, wherein s is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and Ar² is aryl or heteroaryl radical having from 1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, —OR¹⁰, —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —CN, —COR¹⁰ or —COOR¹⁰, wherein when Cy is phenyl or biphenyl, R₁ is other than —OCH₃.
 16. A compound of claim 15 wherein Cy is selected from:

wherein W is selected from [C(R⁹)₂]_(n), CR⁸R^(8a), O, NR⁹, S and CR⁹═CR⁹; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 17. A compound according to claim 1 wherein said R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen.
 18. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is —OH, —CHO, —CONH₂—CON(H)CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂CH₂CONH₂, —CON(H)CH₂COOH, or —CON(H)CH₂CH₂COOH; or R¹ and R² together with the atoms to which they are attached forms a —OCH₂O— fused ring.
 19. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₂ is H. 